Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
2:49 pm
My question is to the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sinodinos. I refer the Assistant Treasurer to his answer to a question yesterday concerning his dealings with Australian Water Holdings. Noting that the Assistant Treasurer has had 24 hours to reflect on his answer, did the Assistant Treasurer attend a meeting with the chief of staff to the Premier of New South Wales on Wednesday 28 September 2011?
John Hogg President
As I said yesterday, the minister can answer the question in so much as that applies to the minister's portfolio.
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer
2:50 pm
I have nothing to add to the answers I gave yesterday and I refer you to my ministerial statement.
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I remind the minister that he made this statement to the Senate:
I played no role in the awarding of the January 2012 contract to AWH by Sydney Water.
In that context I ask again: did the Assistant Treasurer attend a meeting with the chief of staff to the Premier of New South Wales on Wednesday 28 September 2011?
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer
2:51 pm
I made a statement on 28 February. I stand by that statement. It relates to my dealings in this matter, in the context of the Senate, and I stand by the statement.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Doug Cameron NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services
2:52 pm
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Will the Assistant Treasurer provide a full account of his dealings with the contract awarded by Sydney Water to AWH without public tender in January 2012?
Arthur Sinodinos NSW, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer
I quote from my statement of 28 February: I played no role in the awarding of the January 2012 contract to AWH by Sydney Water. I was by then in the Senate and Mr Michael Costa, who succeeded me as chairman, was responsible for securing that agreement.
I understand from public statements by New South Wales government ministers that this process was conducted at arm's length between the two parties to the contract: AWH and Sydney Water. The statement is here. It is in Hansard. Read it. I will get it for you in large type. There it is.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
John Hogg President
Order! Senators on my left!
Senator Kim Carr interjecting—
Senator Brandis interjecting—
Senators Carr and Conroy and Senator Brandis! I am waiting to call Senator McKenzie.